rwp - Luke:15:3-7

rwp@Luke:15:3 @{This parable} (\tn paraboln tautn\). The Parable of the Lost Sheep (15:3-7|). This is Christ's way of answering the cavilling of these chronic complainers. Jesus gave this same parable for another purpose in another connection (Matthew:18:12-14|). The figure of the Good Shepherd appears also in strkjv@John:10:1-18|. "No simile has taken more hold upon the mind of Christendom" (Plummer). Jesus champions the lost and accepts the challenge and justifies his conduct by these superb stories. "The three Episodes form a climax: The Pasture--the House--the Home; the Herdsman--the Housewife--the Father; the Sheep--the Treasure--the Beloved Son" (Ragg).

rwp@Luke:15:4 @{In the wilderness} (\en ti ermi\). Their usual pasturage, not a place of danger or peril. It is the owner of the hundred sheep who cares so much for the one that is lost. He knows each one of the sheep and loves each one. {Go after that which is lost} (\poreuetai epi to apollos\). The one lost sheep (\apollos\, second perfect active participle of \apollumi\, to destroy, but intransitive, to be lost). There is nothing more helpless than a lost sheep except a lost sinner. The sheep went off by its own ignorance and folly. The use of \epi\ for the goal occurs also in strkjv@Matthew:22:9; strkjv@Acts:8:26; strkjv@9:11|. {Until he find it} (\hes heuri auto\). Second aorist active subjunctive of \heurisk\, common verb, with \hes\, common Greek idiom. He keeps on going (\poreuetai\, linear present middle indicative) until success comes (effective aorist, \heuri\).

rwp@Luke:15:5 @{On his shoulders} (\epi tous mous autou\). He does it himself in exuberant affection and of necessity as the poor lost sheep is helpless. Note the plural shoulders showing that the sheep was just back of the shepherd's neck and drawn around by both hands. The word for shoulder (\mos\) is old and common, but in the N.T. only here and strkjv@Matthew:23:4|. {Rejoicing} (\chairn\). "There is no upbraiding of the wandering sheep, nor murmuring at the trouble" (Plummer).

rwp@Luke:15:6 @{Rejoice with me} (\suncharte moi\). Second aorist passive of \sunchair\, an old and common verb for mutual joy as in strkjv@Phillipians:2:17f|. Joy demands fellowship. Same form in verse 9|. Songs:the shepherd {calls together} (\sunkalei\, note \sun\ again) both his friends and his neighbours. This picture of the Good Shepherd has captured the eye of many artists through the ages.

rwp@Luke:15:7 @{Over one sinner that repenteth} (\epi heni hamartli metanoounti\). The word sinner points to verse 1|. Repenting is what these sinners were doing, these lost sheep brought to the fold. The joy in heaven is in contrast with the grumbling Pharisees and scribes. {More than over} (\ epi\). There is no comparative in the Greek. It is only implied by a common idiom like our "rather than." {Which need no repentance} (\hoitines ou chreian echousin metanoias\). Jesus does not mean to say that the Pharisees and the scribes do not need repentance or are perfect. He for the sake of argument accepts their claims about themselves and by their own words condemns them for their criticism of his efforts to save the lost sheep. It is the same point that he made against them when they criticized Jesus and the disciples for being at Levi's feast (Luke:5:31f.|). They posed as "righteous." Very well, then. That shuts their mouths on the point of Christ's saving the publicans and sinners.